A system and methods for authenticating a user for access to a system input terminal that includes an infrared imager, a user input terminal, and a processing section including a plurality of processing instructions operable to perform image capture for wrist areas of a user in proximity to an input terminal or other structures requiring authentication and comparison to determine access or deny access. An aspect of an embodiment of the invention permits initial and frequent authentication that reduces or eliminates user action to perform such authentication. Also provided are user interfaces, and additional authentication sections operable with the infrared imager. Alternative embodiments of the invention include a mobile embodiment as well as an embodiment-including a sensor positioned with respect to a user in an operational position where the user is performing a task in relation to an input terminal or structure requiring authentication (e.g. a keyboard).
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus comprising: a first section comprising a first biometric scanner comprising an infrared imager and an infrared wavelength electromagnetic signal source; a second section comprising a computer processing system user input interface; a third section comprising a second biometric scanner disposed in a section of said user input interface; a fourth section comprising a user interface including a display configured to display output including a graphical user interface; a fifth section comprising a storage section configured to store a plurality of user access data comprising a first, second and third user access data, said first user access data comprising a first biometric signature data comprising a first infrared image data map of a section of an authorized user's first body vein section, said second user access data comprising a second biometric signature data comprising a first fingerprint data, and said third user access data comprising a smart card including an integrated circuit configured for storing an encrypted access signature data including a user password or personal identification data; and a sixth section comprising a processing system including a processing unit and a non-transitory machine instruction storage section configured to store a plurality of machine readable computer processing system instructions configured to control said processing unit and said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sections; wherein said first section is positioned in a first orientation with respect to said second section, said first orientation is along a first axis defined by a first plane that passes through both said first and said second sections, wherein said first section infrared imager and signal source are oriented away from said first plane, said first section is further positioned based on a first distance from a section from said second section to said first section defined based on a first predetermined distance determined based on a predetermined distance from said user's first body vein section to said first section; wherein said plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions comprise: a first plurality of machine readable processing instructions configured to request an administrator login password to authorize creation of a reference image, activate said first section and capture an initial reference image of authorized user's first body vein section, and perform image processing to sharpen said initial reference image to produce said reference image of said authorized user's first body vein section; a second plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions configured to acquire said second infrared image map using said first section to capture said second infrared image map of a wrist area of said user's wrist comprising an infrared map of said user's blood vessel veins acquired by contrasting thermal energy of said veins with surrounding tissue or body sections; a third plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions configured to compare said first infrared image map with said second infrared image map stored in said storage unit, determine a substantial match or no match; a fourth plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions configured to acquire and save a second fingerprint data from said second biometric scanner and compare said first fingerprint data with said second fingerprint data to determine a match or no match between said first and second fingerprint data and grant access where a substantial match is determined between said first and second fingerprint data; a fifth plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions configured to display a prompt for said user to authentication input password or authentication identification data and determine a match with said third user access data; a sixth plurality of machine readable computer instructions configured to grant access to at least one part of said processing system a match is determined between said first and second infrared image maps, said first and second fingerprint data, and said authentication input password or authentication identification data and said third user data; executing said plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions on said sixth section to acquire said second infrared image map and grant access to said third section when said substantial match is determined between said first and second infrared image maps is determined.
An authentication system uses multiple methods to verify a user's identity. It includes an infrared (IR) scanner that captures an image of the user's wrist vein pattern using an IR light source, a user input interface (like a keyboard), a second biometric scanner (like a fingerprint scanner) built into the input interface, and a display. The system stores user data: an IR vein image, a fingerprint, and encrypted data from a smart card (password or PIN). A processor executes instructions to capture a reference vein image upon administrator authorization, then captures the user's current wrist vein image. It compares the current and reference images, compares the user's fingerprint to the stored fingerprint, and checks the smart card data against the stored data. Access is granted only if all three match. The IR scanner is positioned at a specific distance and angle relative to the input interface to ergonomically capture the wrist vein image.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said first section is positioned in a first orientation with respect to said second section, said first orientation is along a first axis defined by a first plane that passes through both said first and second sections, wherein said first section infrared imager and signal source are oriented away from said first plane, said first section is further positioned based on a first distance from a section from said second section to said first section defined based on a first predetermined distance from said user's first body vein section to said first section.
The authentication system, as described above, positions its first infrared (IR) scanner at a specific distance and angle relative to the user input interface. This positioning ensures ergonomic capture of the user's wrist vein image, taking into account the user's natural hand placement. The scanner's IR imager and signal source are oriented away from the plane defined by the scanner and the input interface.
3. An apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein said computer processing system user input interface comprises a computer keyboard and a first support configured to position and support said user's wrist in said first orientation.
The authentication system described above uses a computer keyboard as the user input interface. The system includes a wrist support designed to position and stabilize the user's wrist in the correct orientation for the infrared (IR) vein scanner. This ensures consistent and accurate vein image capture during the authentication process.
4. An apparatus as in claim 3 , wherein said second section comprises a first, second, and third row of keyboard keys, wherein said support supports said user's wrist to orient and position said user's wrist in proximity to said first biometric scanner and said second section configured to enable said user's fingers to touch at least one key in said first, second, or third row of keyboard keys that has said second biometric scanner disposed therein.
The authentication system described above uses a computer keyboard as the user input interface, including a wrist support. The keyboard has three rows of keys, and the support positions the user's wrist so that their fingers can comfortably reach these keys. The fingerprint scanner (the second biometric scanner) is embedded within one of the keys in these rows, allowing for simultaneous fingerprint scanning and keyboard interaction.
5. An apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein said second biometric scanner comprises another infrared imager and another infrared wavelength electromagnetic signal source.
The authentication system described above, featuring a keyboard with integrated fingerprint scanner, uses another infrared (IR) imager and light source in the fingerprint scanner. This enables the fingerprint scanner to capture fingerprint data using infrared technology, potentially for enhanced accuracy or security.
6. An apparatus as in claim 5 , wherein said second biometric scanner comprises an imager scanner.
The fingerprint scanner (second biometric scanner) in the described authentication system uses an image scanner to capture fingerprint data. This means the scanner creates a visual representation of the fingerprint pattern for comparison against stored data.
7. An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said computer processing system user input interface comprises a touchscreen user interface.
Instead of a keyboard, the authentication system described above can use a touchscreen user interface. The user interacts with the system through touch input on the screen, which replaces the physical keyboard.
8. An apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a head mounted system comprising a frame comprising a first, second, and third section, said first and third sections are coupled to opposing sides of said second section, said head mounted system is configured to be worn on a head of a user respectively extending around a first, second and third side sections of the user's head and resting on the user's brow and ears, said head mounted system comprises at least one display projector projecting an image onto at least one display surface of an optical element coupled with and extending away from said second section, wherein said first section is coupled with a third biometric scanner comprising another infrared imager and another infrared wavelength electromagnetic signal source that are both oriented away from said first section towards said third section, wherein said third section is coupled with a fourth biometric scanner comprising a fingerprint scanner oriented away from third section and towards said first section.
This authentication system is implemented in a head-mounted display. A frame rests on the user's head. A display projector projects an image onto a display surface of an optical element. The system uses three biometric scanners: an infrared (IR) vein scanner on one side of the frame, and a fingerprint scanner on the other side, both facing each other. This allows for simultaneous vein and fingerprint scanning for authentication.
9. An apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein said fingerprint scanner comprises another infrared imager and another infrared wavelength electromagnetic signal source.
In the head-mounted authentication system described above, the fingerprint scanner uses infrared (IR) imaging technology. This includes an infrared imager and light source.
10. An apparatus as in claim 9 , wherein said fingerprint scanner comprises an image scanner.
In the head-mounted authentication system described above, the fingerprint scanner uses an image scanner to capture fingerprint data. This means the scanner creates a visual representation of the fingerprint pattern.
11. An apparatus as in claim 10 , wherein said head mounted system further comprises a microphone disposed within one of said first, second or third sections.
The head-mounted authentication system described above includes a microphone, positioned within the frame, for capturing audio input from the user.
12. An apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein said microphone is disposed on said frame, configured or oriented towards said user's mouth.
In the head-mounted authentication system with a microphone, the microphone is positioned on the frame and oriented towards the user's mouth to capture voice commands or audio input clearly.
13. An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said encrypted access signature data including a user password or personal identification data comprises a personal identification number or another personal identification data.
In the described authentication system, the encrypted access signature data stored on the smart card includes a personal identification number (PIN) or other personal identification data to authenticate the user.
14. A method of operating a system for authentication of a user for access to a computer system comprising: providing a first section comprising a first biometric scanner comprising an infrared imager and an infrared wavelength electromagnetic signal source; providing a second section comprising a computer processing system user input interface; providing a third section comprising a second biometric scanner disposed in a section of said user input interface; providing a fourth section comprising a user interface including a display configured to display output including a graphical user interface; providing a fifth section comprising a storage section configured to store a plurality of user access data comprising a first, second and third user access data, said first user access data comprising a first infrared image map of a section of an authorized user's wrist veins, said second user access data comprising a second biometric signature comprising a first fingerprint data, and said third user access data comprising a smart card comprising an integrated circuit configured for storing an encrypted access signature data including a user password or personal identification data; and providing a sixth section comprising a processing system including a processing unit and a non-transitory machine instruction storage section configured to store a plurality of machine readable computer processing system instructions configured to control said processing unit and said first, second, third, fourth and fifth sections; wherein said first section is positioned in a first orientation with respect to said second section, said first orientation is along a first axis defined by a first plane that passes through both said first and said second sections, wherein said first section infrared imager and signal source are oriented away from said first plane, said first section is further positioned based on a first distance from a section from said second section to said first section defined based on a first predetermined distance determined based on a predetermined distance from said user's first body vein section to said first section; wherein said plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions comprise: a first plurality of machine readable processing instructions configured to request for an Administrator login password to authorize creation of a reference image, activate said first section and capture an initial reference image of authorized user's first body vein section, and perform image processing to sharpen said initial reference image to produce said reference image of said authorized user's first body vein section; a second plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions configured to acquire a second infrared image map using said first section to capture said second infrared image of a wrist area of said user's wrist comprising an infrared map of said user's blood vessel veins acquired by contrasting thermal energy of said veins with surrounding tissue or body sections; a third plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions configured to compare said first infrared image map with said second infrared image map stored in said storage unit, determine a substantial match or no match; a fourth plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions configured to acquire and save a second fingerprint data from said second biometric scanner and compare said first fingerprint data with said second finger print data to determine a match or no match between said first and second fingerprint data and grant access where a substantial match is determined between said first and second fingerprint data; a fifth plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions configured to display a prompt for said user to authentication input password or authentication identification data and determine a match with said third user access data; a sixth plurality of machine readable computer instructions configured to grant access to at least one part of said processing system a match is determined between said first and second infrared image maps, said first and second fingerprint data, and said authentication input password or authentication identification data and said third user data; executing said plurality of machine readable computer processing instructions on said sixth section to acquire said second infrared image map and grant access to said third section when said substantial match is determined between said first and second infrared image maps is determined.
An authentication method involves using an infrared (IR) scanner to capture an image of the user's wrist vein pattern, a user input interface (like a keyboard), a second biometric scanner (like a fingerprint scanner) built into the input interface, and a display. The system stores user data: an IR vein image, a fingerprint, and encrypted data from a smart card (password or PIN). The method involves capturing a reference vein image upon administrator authorization, then capturing the user's current wrist vein image. It compares the current and reference images, compares the user's fingerprint to the stored fingerprint, and checks the smart card data against the stored data. Access is granted only if all three match. The IR scanner is positioned at a specific distance and angle relative to the input interface.
15. A method of operating as in claim 14 , wherein said second section comprises a computer keyboard and a first support configured to position and support said user's wrist in said first orientation.
The authentication method described above uses a computer keyboard as the user input interface and includes a wrist support to position and stabilize the user's wrist for the infrared (IR) vein scanner, ensuring accurate image capture.
16. A method of operating as in claim 15 , wherein second section comprises a first, second, and third row of keyboard keys, wherein said support supports said user's wrist to orient and position said user's wrist in proximity to said first biometric scanner and said second section configured to enable said user's fingers to touch at least one key in said first, second, or third row of keyboard keys that has said second biometric scanner disposed therein.
The authentication method uses a keyboard with a wrist support. The keyboard has three rows of keys. The wrist support positions the user's wrist so their fingers reach these keys. A fingerprint scanner is embedded in a key, enabling simultaneous fingerprint scanning and keyboard interaction.
17. A method of operating as in claim 16 , wherein said second biometric scanner comprises another infrared imager and another infrared wavelength electromagnetic signal source.
In the authentication method described above, featuring a keyboard with an integrated fingerprint scanner, the fingerprint scanner utilizes another infrared (IR) imager and light source.
18. A method of operating as in claim 16 , wherein said second biometric scanner comprises an imager scanner.
The authentication method with a keyboard and fingerprint scanner uses an image scanner in the fingerprint scanner to capture fingerprint data.
19. A method of operating as in claim 14 , wherein said computer processing system user input interface comprises a touchscreen user interface.
The authentication method can utilize a touchscreen user interface instead of a keyboard for user input.
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August 20, 2015
May 9, 2017
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